Apparatus for chlorination of toilet disposal



y 1965 G. R. CARLSON 3,195,149

APPARATUS FOR GHLORINATION OF TOILET DISPOSAL Filed Dec. 18, 1962INVENTOR 6057/; me A. Gmusmv /7 TTOR/Vf Y United States Patet 3,195,149APPARATUS F621 CHLQRINATHEN @F TQTLET DESPUSAL Gustave R. Carlson,Metuchen, NJ; Margit N. arlson, executrier of said Gustave R. Carlson,deceased Filed Dec. 18, 1962, Ser. No. assess 11 iairns. (til. i-lil)This invention relates to an apparatus or what might be termed a systemfor caring for chlorination of discharges from a toilet in maintainingdesired sanitation, particularly in discharges from boats, vessels orthe like to avoid polluted conditions in discharges into waterways, suchas lakes, rivers, streams, bays and the like. More particularly, theinvention deals with an apparatus and/ or system employing manual andautomatic controls for eilicient operation of the apparatus or system inany use to which it may be installed.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description, when taken together with the accompanyingdrawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable referencecharacters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 of the drawing shows a diagrammatic arrangement of the apparatusor system, with parts of the respective units being illustrated insection or in part section; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 22 of FIG. 1, omitting part ofthe structure.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of my invention, I have shown inFIG. 1 of the drawing the five primary units of the apparatus or system,namely the toilet unit 10, the chlorinator or treatment unit 11, theinjector unit 12, the chlorine flow valve unit 13 and the chlorine orother chemical storage unit 14. At 15 is indicated what might be termeda signal station, constituting part of the apparatus.

The unit 19 comprises a toilet bowl, diagrammatically seen at 16, havinga water inlet, as at 17, controlled by a solenoid valve 18, one circuitwire of which is indicated at 19 and the return to the battery or othersource of electric supply is indicated at 20. At this time, it ispointed out that, in all future reference to battery return, it will beapparent that this can be to any source of electrical supply, dependingentirely upon the use or installation of the apparatus or system.

Also in the inlet pipe 17 is a water pump inlet 21 through which waterpasses when the solenoid valve 18 is actuated to admit water into thebowl through the pipe 22. At 23 is shown a pump actuated by a manuallyoperated lever 24 pivoted, as seen at 25, and to which the rod of thepiston actuating the pump 23 is coupled, as seen at 26. The lever 24includes, at its end, a handgrip portion 24'. The discharge of the pump23 or, in other words, the waste discharge from the bowl 16, isindicated at 27 and in this discharge is arranged a backwater checkvalve, as diagrammatically seen at 28, Extending from the discharge 27is a pipe, diagrammatically illustrated by dotdash lines at 29, whichextends to a lower inlet 39 of the tank 31 of the chlorinator unit 11.The upper and lower walls 32 and 33 of the tank have suitable bracketmeans, as at 32, 33', for mounting of the tank on a suitable support.Suitably coupled with the bottom wall 33 is an electric motor 34, havingcircuit wires 35 and 36,the latter extending to the battery, the motoractuating a macerator device 37 arranged in the lower inlet section 38of the tank 31. The section 38 is divided from an outlet section 39 by aperforated screen at) to maintain the larger particles in the inletsection during the treatment thereof. Suitably coupled with the wall 32and extending into the outlet section 39 is a pipe 41, an extension towhich is diagrammatically illustrated by dot-dash lines at 41,

djdhdd Patented July 20, 1965 ice appear that the pipe 41 extendspartially into the upperend of the stand pipe 44. As clearly noted inFIG. 1 of the drawing, the upper surface of the pipe 42 has, at opposedsides of the stand pipe, discharge openings 42' and the one end of thepipe 42 includes a closure cap 42".

Considering FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will be apparent that theinlet includes an extension 30' which passes into the section 38, theextension being open at one side, as clearly seen at Call" in FIG. 2 ofthe drawing, and integral with or otherwise coupled with 30 is anannular conical bailie portion 45 arranged centrally with respect to thestand pipe 42 and substantially enveloping the lower discharge end ofthe same, the baflle 45 having a discharge opening 45' directly abovethe fan or macerator device 37. The battle 45 includes a roundedextension 45" disposed at the upper end of 30 for directing the flow ofthe waste material from the toilet into the lower section 38 and outthrough the open side of 30', as will be clearly apparent from aconsideration of FIG. 2, to bedirected to the fan 37.

When the fan or macerator is in operation, it will be apparent that awhirling-type flow will prevail up around the battle and downwardlythrough the opening 45' in operation of the treatment unit 11. It willbe understood that the waste pipe 43, when the system is applied toboats, will discharge into the water from the boat.

The iniector unit 12 comprises an inverted cup-shaped casing 46, withinwhich is arranged a rubber or other diaphragm 4'? supported on thecasing by an inlet housing 48, into which chlorine or other chemical isintroduced, as indicated at 49. Coupled with the inlet 49 is a pipe,illustrated in dot-dash lines at 50, which extends to an inlet andoutlet coupling 51 on the casing 52 of the chlorinator flow valve unit13.

Supported in the upper portion of the casing 46 is a flow control switch53, having inlet and outlet actuators, as at 54 and 55. Another switch56 is also supported in the casing and has a start and stop actuator 57.Extending from the switch 56 is a circuit wire 58, which couples withwires 19 and 35, as seen at 59, and at 60 is shown a circuit wire, whichextends to battery. Also coupled with the wire 35 is a wire 61, whichextends to the signal station 15 supporting an electric bulb, asdiagrammatically seen at 62, and from the station 15 extends a wire 63to the battery. The bulb 62 can be of any desired color, preferably red,to denote improper functioning of the apparatus or system, as and whenthis bulb continues to signal for an undue length of time. Slidablymounted in the casing 46 is a plunger or operating rod 64, having anenlarged knob or head 65 facilitating manual operation by the foot orotherwise. 1 Coupled with the plunger 64 within the casing 46 is aswitch operating cup-shaped element 66, which constitutes part of acoupling for engagement with the diaphram 47, as diagrammaticallyillustrated. The diaphram 47, together with the plunger 64, is normallyretained in the position illustrated by a coil spring 67 suitablycoupled or fixed to the casing 46 and the element 66 and this springserves to assist in return of the plunger 4 to its normal raisedposition, as shown. The admission of the chlorine or other chemical intothe housing 48 and casing 46 controls primarily the return of theplunger to normal position.

The casing 52 of the unit 13 includes an inlet coupling 68 in opposedrelationship to the outlet coupling 13" and the pipe between the twocouplings includes a T- coupling 69 coupled with the coupling 51.Between 68 and 69 is arranged an inlet solenoid flow control valve 70and between 13' and 69 is arranged a similar outlet valve 71. Coupledwith the valve 70 is a circuit wire 72 which extends to the switch 53and a similar circuit wire 73 extends from the valve 71 to the switch53, both valves 70 and 7 1 being grounded to the battery, as at 74 and75.

The chlorine or chemical storage'unit 14 includes a container 76supported by a bracket housing 77, the container being preferably oftransparent or translucent material, so that a gauge opening in 77, asindicated at 78 can indicate the level of chlorine in the container fortimely replacement by removing a vented cap 79. Attached with thecontainer 76 is a discharge coupling 89 and extending from the couplingto the coupling 68 of the unit 13 is a pipe, as diagrammaticallyillustrated in dot-dash lines at 81. apparatus or system will be readilyunderstood from the foregoing detailed description and the followingstatement.

In the first place, it will be apparent that there are two cycles ofoperation, namely the mechanical and the automatic or electric control.The system is normally filled with fluid at least to the extentrequired, including the pipes or other connections between therespective units. After human waste has been deposited in the bowl 16,the plunger 64 of the unit 12 will be depressed.

Instantaneously, the two actuators 55 and 57, which.

will be spring pressed, -Will be released to close the circuit throughthe switches 53 and 56 to actuate the motor 34, illuminate the bulb 62and actuate the solenoid valve 18. At the same time, the outlet solenoidvalve 71 will be actuated, permitting discharge of the chemical from theunit 12 through the pipes 41-53 into the lower section 38 of the unit11. The above downward pressure on the plunger 64 continues until thehead 65 strikes the actuator 54. The toilet. pump 23 is actuated todischarge the waste from the bowl into the unit 11, thus. completing thesecond phase of the manual operations which are performed.

During the two phases of the manual cycle, the opening of the valve 71permits a measured amount of the treatment chemical portion to bedischarged from the measuring chamber in the unit 12 into the unit 11.This operation raises the chemical concentration of the chlorinatorslightly before injection of the free waste into the unit 11 and actionof the macerator 37 by means of the motor 34 will hasten the uniformmixing of the treatment chemical solution with the contents of the unit11. Upon completing the operation of the pump 23, it will be understoodthat the hackwater check valve 28 will prevent return of the waste tothe unit 10.

In connection with the discharge of the waste through the valve 28, itwill be understood that this valve will operate to a degree to apply asqueezing action upon the solid particles and, accordingly, assist infunctioning of the unit 11. The operation of the macerator 37 willcontinue during such time as the motor 23 remains in operation. Duringthe above stage of the operation, it will be understood that treatedsolution in the unit 11 has been discharge through the pipe 43. It Willfurther be apparent that the use of the screen 40 prevents any of thesolid untreated waste from passing directly into the outlet section 39of the unit 11; whereas, the bafile 45 provides the desired flow inaccelerating the break-up of the solids and action of the treatmentchemical. In the discharge from the unit 11 through the pipe 43, it willbe understood that the pipe 42 will control and prevent any return flowback into the unit 11. after the pump 23 has ceased to operate.

By discharging the treatment chemical from 41 directly into 44 anddirectly over the macerator device 37, a more The function and operationof the thorough mixture of the chemical with the discharge into thesection 38 will be accomplished.

In the above cycle of operation of depressing the plunger 64, as andwhen the head 65 strikes the actuator 54 of the switch 53, the circuitto the solenoid valve 71 will automatically be closed and the circuit tothe solenoid valve 70 opened to allow the chemical treatment solu-' tionin the container 76 to pass downwardly through the pipe 81 andthenthr-ough the pipe 56 into the measuring chamber of unit 12, whichoperation causes the plunger 64 to raise by action of the fluid upon thediaphragm 47. A special size of orifice will be provided in the coupling8%) to control the return of flow and, accordingly, the upward movementof the plunger 64 which is assisted to a slight degree by the spring 67.This return of flow determines the period of time for the treatmentcycle in unit 11 to take place, which treatment cycle is checked as andwhen the element 66 on the plunger strikes and operates the actuators 55and 57 to stop the motor 34 and to close the solenoid valve 70. It willalso be understood, at this time, that the previously ignited bulb 62will cease to. be illuminated, which will signal that the cycle ofoperation has been successfully completed. If this bulb remainsilluminated, notice is then given that something has not properlyfunctioned in the system and an appropriate check would be made.Otherwise, the system is now ready for a further operation, as notedabove.

It will be understood that the showing in the accompanying drawing isschematic and no proportions as to relative sizes are to be considered;for example, the unit 14 will have a capacity to handle numerousoperations of the apparatus or system before replacement of the chemicalin the container 76. In some instances, one unit, as at 14, can be ofsuifiicient capacity to supply several operations of the unit 11 11, 12and 13.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A chlorination apparatus of the character defined, comprising aseries of spaced units, namely a toilet bowl unit, a treatment unit, aninjector unit, a flow valve unit and a chemical storage unit, a'pipeplacing the bowl unit in communication with said treatment unit, a pipeplac ing the injector unit in communication with the flow valve unit, apipe placing the chemical storage unit in communication with the flowvalve 'unit, a pipe placing the flow valve unit in communication withthe treatment unit, said flow valve unit having'a pair of electricallyactuated valve means for controlling flow of a chemical from saidchemical storage unit to the injector unit and from said injector unitto said treatment unit through said valve unit, said injector unitincluding two. switches, one switch having a pair of actuators, theother switch having a single actuator, a plunger operating in theinjector unit for actuating means controlling discharge of chemical fromthe injector unit into said treatment unit, said plunger having meansoperatively engaging the actuators of said switches to control operationof said valve means of said flow valve unit in controlling delivery of achemical to the injector unit and discharge of chemical from saidinjector'unit into said treatment unit, a motor actuated macerator insaid treatment unit actuated by one of the switches in said injectorunit, the toilet bowl unit having a water intake, a solenoid valvecontrolling said intake and actuated by said last named switch, a pumpat the toilet bowl unit for discharge of waste material from the bowl ofsaid unit into said treatment unit through the pipe placing the bowlunit in communication with the treatment unit, and a back Water checkvalve in said last named pipe adjacent the bowl of said toilet bowlunit.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said treatment unitcomprises a tank, screening means dividing said tank into a lower inletsection and an upper outlet section, and said macerator being arrangedin and operating in the inlet section of said unit.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a signal station is incircuit with the second named switch of said injector unit so as to beactuated during the full operation of the macerator of the treatmentunit and the solenoid valve of the toilet bowl unit.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the chemical storage unitincludes means gauging contents of the chemical in the container of saidunit.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pump of said toiletbowl unit includes means for manual actuation thereof.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said injector unitincludes a diaphragm actuated by the plunger of said unit inintroduction of the chemical into said injector unit.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the injector unitincludes tensional means assisting movement of the plunger in onedirection.

8. In chlorination apparatus of the character described, a toilet bowlunit having inlet conduit means, a treatment unit into which dischargefrom said toilet bowl unit is adapted to be passed, said treatment unitcomprising a tank divided by screening means into a lower inlet sectionand an upper outlet section, a discharge for said outlet section, saidtreatment unit including electrically actuated means for agitating thewaste delivered to the inlet section of said unit by discharge conduitmeans from the toilet bowl unit in the operation of discharge from thetoilet bowl unit, means for delivering a measured quantity of treatmentchemical solution from a source of supply, first into the upper sectionand then into the central portion of the inlet section of said treatmentunit directly above and adjacent said agitating means, and said toiletbowl unit having pump means for controlling the discharge therefromthrough said discharge conduit means to said treatment unit.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein manually actuated meanscloses an electric circuit to said electrically actuated agitatingmeans, the inlet conduit means of said toilet bowl unit including asolenoid valve in said circuit and actuated simultaneously withactuation of the agitating means of said treatment unit, said means fordelivering the measured quantity of treatment chemical solution to saidlower inlet section comprising an ejector unit including a plungeractuated diaphragm, and a switch in said circuit and on the injectorunit actuated by means on said plunger to control the circuit to thesolenoid valve of said toilet bowl unit and agitator means of saidtreatment unit.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein a flow control unit isemployed in conduit means between said treatment unit and said injectorunit, said flow control unit having a pair of valves, said injector unitincluding a second switch actuated by said means on the plunger incontrolling operation of said pair of valves on said flow control unitfor controlling said delivery of chemical solution to said injector unitand then from said injector unit to said treatment unit.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the circuit to thefirst named switch includes a signal station indicating properfunctioning of the apparatus.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,005,075 10/1 1Rosenstock 4-222 1,996,325 4/35 Cox 4-10 2,337,203 12/43 Marple 210-86XR 2,678,914 5/54 Kalinske 210-219 2,785,638 3/57 Moller 103-227 XR2,792,974 5/57 Smith et a1 222-383 XR 2,858,939 11/58 Corliss 210-152 XR2,951,251 9/60 Belden 4-10 3,012,675 12/61 Phelps et a1 210-86 3,044,0777/62 Belden 4-10 3,094,247 6/63 Marchi 22276 XR HARRY B. THORNTON,Primary Examiner.

REUBEN FRIEDMAN, HERBERT L. MARTIN,

Examiners.

1. A CHLORINATION APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DEFINED, COMPRISING ASERIES OF SPACED UNITS, NAMELY A TOILET BOWL UNIT, A TREATMENT UNIT, ANINJECTOR UNIT, A FLOW VALVE UNIT AND A CHEMICAL STORAGE UNIT, A PIPEPLACING THE BOWL UNIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID TREATMENT UNIT, A PIPEPLACING THE INJECTOR UNIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE FLOW VALVE UNIT, APIPE PLACING THE CHEMICAL STORAGE UNIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE FLOWVALVE UNIT, A PIPE PLACING THE FLOW VALVE UNIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH THETREATMENT UNIT, SAID FLOW VALVE UNIT HAVING A PAIR OF ELECTRICALLYACTUATED VALVE MEANS FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF A CHEMICAL FROM SAIDCHEMICAL STORAGE UNIT TO THE INJECTOR UNIT AND FROM SAID INJECTOR UNITTO SAID TREATMENT UNIT THROUGH SAID VALVE UNIT, SAID INJECTOR UNITINCLUDING TWO SWITCHES, ONE SWITCH HAVING A PAIR OF ACTUATORS, THE OTHERSWITCH HAVING A SINGLE ACTUATOR, A PLUNGER OPERATING IN THE INJECTORUNIT FOR ACTUATING MEANS CONTROLLING DISCHARGE OF CHEMICAL FROM THEINJECTOR UNIT INTO SAID TREATMENT UNIT, SAID PLUNGER HAVING MEANSOPERATIVELY ENGAGING THE ACTUATORS OF SAID SWITCHES TO CONTROL OPERATIONOF SAID VALVE MEANS OF SAID FLOW VALVE UNIT IN CONTROLLING DELIVERY OF ACHEMICAL TO THE INJECTOR UNIT AND DISCHARGE OF CHEMICAL FROM SAIDINJECTOR UNIT INTO SAID TREATMENT UNIT, A MOTOR ACTUATED MACERATOR INSAID TREATMENT UNIT ACTUATED BY ONE OF THE SWITCHES IN SAID INJECTORUNIT, THE TOILET BOWL UNIT HAVING A WATER INTAKE, A SOLENOID VALVECONTROLLING SAID INTAKE AND ACTUATED BY SAID LAST NAMED SWITCH, A PUMPAT THE TOILET BOWL UNIT FOR DISCHARGE OF WASTE MATERIAL FROM THE BOWL OFSAID UNIT INTO SAID TREATMENT UNIT THROUGH THE PIPE PLACING THE BOWLUNIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE TREATMENT UNIT, AND A BACK WATER CHECKVALVE IN SAID LAST NAMED PIPE ADJACENT THE BOWL OF SAID TOILET BOWLUNIT.